Tag: apartment

1 week/$100 (Day 2)

The Challenge?

Morning sunshine. Woke up at 7AM, did some laundry, had brekky, packed my lunch (can of tuna, alfalfa and baked beans) and headed out before 9AM. Another beautiful day in Sydney. Just sitting in Darling Harbour.

Excited for this Sunday’s kick about with the ladies from Inner West Sydney soccer. Tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny so I think I might just head to Manly Beach finally. Haven’t checked out the North Sydney beaches. Need to get my tan back!

I decided Saturdays are also going to my indulgent days. Gonna eat like a little sugar fiend. Can’t wait! Today’s agenda looks like another day of plenty of reading and writing, and possibly meeting up with my German friend A who’s travelling through the city. I think we’re going to check out the casino. Just gave mom and dad a little surprise phone call. Glad to find out the NHL is back up and running… GO LEAFS GO!!! Dad said he’d buy a pair of season tickets for him and I to check out when I get back later this year. Looking forward.

Toronto Marlies game (Christmas 2012).
Toronto Marlies game (Christmas 2012).

Sitting in The Rocks and thinking about what an interesting place Sydney is. In the middle of summer you’ll still find at least 3 or 15 people wearing a parka and UGG boots.

***

Went for a long walk from Darling Harbour across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back. Sat in Gloria Jeans and continued on with Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek. A few insightful tidbits from my read:

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

“The question you should be asking isn’t What do I want? or What are my goals?, but What would excite me?”

“The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.” –Bruce Lee

“Learn to be difficult when it counts. Having a reputation for being assertive will help you receive preferential treatment without having to beg or fight for it.”

“It isn’t enough to think outside the box. Thinking is passive. Get used to acting outside the box.”

*** 

I’ve met the absolute weirdest people in the last few days. I was reading outside between the Myer Center and Westfield on Pitt Street when a middle-aged hooker wearing white eyeliner as lipstick stopped me to have a conversation. She had worn out tanned, orangey skin, bleached-blonde teased hair and was wearing a tight, short neon pink dress with higher than average transparent heels…

Hooker: Are you from New York?

Bettina: No I’m Canadian… from Toronto (confused smile).

H: Oh.

(Pause)

H: Have you been to New York?

B: Yes. It’s a great city.

H: Does Central have trees?

B: You mean Central Park?

H: Yes! Central… does it have trees like here?

B: Yes… it’s a park. It’s a beautiful park. You should definitely check it out.

H: Like here?

(Pause)

B: Yes.

H: Oh ya?!

(Pause)

B: Yes (smile/awkward eye gaze).

(Hooker exits right)

***

Met up with A after din. Caught up in Hyde Park, went for a stroll and ended up at my flat so I could wait for my luggage and she could steal some WiFi while my roommate decided to delight us with a show-and-tell about the mysterious red blemish the popped up on her nipple. Good times.

*** 

There was a promo going on at the casino… refer a new member and you and your referee get a free $50 to gamble with. DEAL. My roommate J and I met up with A and her two German friends. J and I headed for the roulette tables… we both lost. Had a great time though! Bonus: we didn’t leave in debt. My roommate left and I hung out with the girls before heading home.

A and I said our goodbyes. We originally met in Hervey Bay… a town I highly recommend skipping unless you’re catching a tour to Fraser Island. We then bumped into each other in Airlie Beach and then again in Cairns. We practically followed each other up the east coast and back to Sydney without knowing it. Had an awesome time together. 

Farewell friend.
Farewell friend.

Time to head home for nightly tea with the roomies.

***

Looked in the mirror and noticed my t-shirt said New York City in faint blue letters… quite the observant hooker.

Track of the Day:

ROBYN-Konichiwa Bitches

Coin:

Green tea – $2.95

Groceries (bag of frozen peas) – $1.97

TODAY’S TOTAL: $4.92

WEEK’S TOTAL: $23.15

1 week/$100 (Day 1)

The Challenge?

Flight was awesome. Flew from Toronto to San Francisco to Sydney. The stopover in San Fran was only 45 minutes. The hop-off-hop-on connection made it feel like I flew 18 hours straight (approx.) from home to Oz. Quick and dirty.

While flying I was thinking of a way to get to my flat without paying for a cab. Cab fare from SYD would cost me around $35. Taking the Airport Link Train would cost me $15 but would only get me to Town Hall. I wouldn’t be able to carry my 2 packs the rest of the way by foot. Decided I’d figure it out when I got there.

Ready for take-off.
Ready for take-off.

Turned out United Airlines left my larger pack in San Fran. Baggage claim services assured me it’d be delivered (free of charge) to my flat the following day. Worked out PERFECT! I grabbed the Airport Link into the city for $15 and walked the rest of the way. I had another pair of pants and a tee in my small pack anyway. Plus I got $100 compensation from my Capitol One Aspire MasterCard under the included baggage delay insurance. All worked out. (TIP: A lot of private companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport for the same price. Give it a Google). 

***

Arrived back in Sydney on the bloody hottest day ever… over 43 degrees (C).  Hung out with my roomies, caught up with an old flame, took a couple of melatonin tablets and went off to bed. Snoozed.

***

Weather cooled since yesterday. For no apparent reason whatsoever this has to be my favourite day in Sydney to record. Over Xmas I decided I’d come back here, look for farm work somewhere in southern Australia to get my second year visa, then settle again and work… EFF THAT.

At THIS moment… I feel one year in Oz will satisfy me. Things could change (UPDATE: I want to stay longer). Right now I’m living at my old flat rent-free hoping my former landlord doesn’t hop in to catch me frying eggs in my PJs: “fancy seeing you here Canadia.” Might be a tad uncomfortable considering I have yet to hand back my key (forgot to before leaving in December). Opps!

My plans now? Possibly stay in Sydney for a bit… rent-free. How? Couch surf, work in a hostel or stay with O (my old boss). Before leaving for home she mentioned I could crash at her place if I needed a bed. Sweet. Plus my friend from the Philippines is looking for a flat so maybe I could crash there. Plenty of options.

Plans for the next week are to remain in tourist-mode until I’ve had my fill. Screw finding work, screw finding a new flat, screw pricey bonds. I love travelling and my closest friends know me to be a wanderer … might as well.

*** 

Today’s weather reminds me of springtime in Niagara Falls, ON. Cool and breezy… lovely. Tonight I’ll look up a few free things to do—or things that are going on in Sydney. Right now is Sydney’s festival time so there’s loads of things to look out for. Just winging it and keepin’ it simple.

Also going to keep up with my IWTK posts. I can feel it will lead to something great in the long run… looking forward to it. 🙂

*** 

Sitting in the Westfield food court. Grabbed some Guzman Y Gomez. Beef burrito bowl with guacamole… yummmmm. Grab a loyalty card if you’re a Mexican food fiend like myself.

A man and woman are sitting to my left. They’re colleagues. Actually… she’s his boss, and she’s politely bit*hing to him about his less than mediocre sales as of late.

To my right are a group of middle-aged Asian women who just ordered gelato from the Italian café behind us. They are looooving it. Just shared a few laughs with them and took a few pics of them with their waffle cones. They just called themselves ‘ice-cream addicts.’ Enjoying life.

Boss woman to my left just gave her employee some sage advice: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

Time for a post-meal read. Today’s feature: Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek. Highly recommended.

***

Almost 9PM. Sitting at Darling Harbour on a beautiful night. Live music playing in the background and a giant rubber duck floating by the dock. No idea why… possibly part of what’s going on with the Sydney Festival. The kids are looooving it. Really makes me want to buy a bow and arrow, shoot the rubber ducky and watch it slowly deflate as the kids wail in the background. I’m evil. 

Darling Harbour, Sydney
Darling Harbour, Sydney

Time to head home, make some din, then off to bed.

Track of the Day:

DRAGONETTE-Live in This City

Coin:

Lunch  – $12

Groceries (dozen eggs, baked beans) – $6.23

TODAY’S TOTAL: $18.23

WEEK’S TOTAL: $18.23

Choosing the right apartment in Sydney/anywhere

I can be a tad impulsive when it comes to making decisions like these. If like myself, you’ll eventually learn through trial and error. Or… you can just read this!

1. Stay in the city for at least 7 days before moving-in

  • Get to know the neighbourhoods. You’ll find out what areas appeal to you, where would be most convenient (ie. close to grocery stores, public transport) and the difference in rent between communities (by the beach: $$$).

 
2. Decide who you’d prefer to live with

  • My dearest female readers: men are the EASIEST to live with. Just look for a clean and reasonably-organized bunch.

 

3. The area

  • Is the place on a busy street or close to train tracks? Yes, I love my sleep.
  • Is there parking?
  • Where is the closest grocery store, post office and bank/ATM?
  • How far is access to public transportation?

 

4. Snoop around and get these questions answered

  • Is there air-conditioning?
  • Is there a washer AND dryer (during the summer you could pass with a simple clothes-line)?
  • What room would you be moving into and what does the mattress look like? No one likes bed bugs.
  • Have there been any cases of bed bugs in the last 2 years?
  • Would you be sharing a room? If so find out about your roommate. If they happen to be there then get a feel for what they’re like. Is their side of the room organized or a mess? Does he/she work? What are their working hours like (9-5, overnights etc.)?
  • Is there a security system in place and/or is there a lock to your bedroom?
  • How are household responsibilities shared?
  • Does the place itself look clean? You’re aiming for cockroach-free. 🙂
  • How many people share one bathroom?
  • Does the bathroom have a window and proper ventilation? Mold is NOT your friend.

 

5. Financials

  • Rent… obviously.
  • Is there a bond? How much?
  • How does the landlord insist on receiving rent (electronically, funds transfer etc.)?
  • Is there a contract? For how long?
  • How much notice is needed before moving out?

 

6. Your landlord

  • If you have the chance, ask one of your potential roommates what they think of the landlord. You’re looking for a landlord that is prompt on getting back to you and quick to address concerns you may have.

 

Anything you think I should add? Comment below and spare others the trial and error. 🙂

Where to look for apartments in Australia

In a previous post I mentioned that I’d be comfortable making a minimum of $1000/wk….. baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It’s lookin’ like that minimum’s turning into a need-be guarantee.

You could get by making the bare minimum while travelling, but it looks like Sydney’s going to be a tad more expensive then originally planned.

I’ll be getting everything together when I arrive in my first week, but I figured now’s close enough (to my departure date) to check out a few listings for apartments. Here’s where I’ve been lookin’:

AirBnB is great site. You’ll find listings for hotels, hostels, vacation rentals and apartments with pictures, the property’s available amenities (Wi-Fi, kitchen, washer/dryer) and more. You also have the option of emailing the property owner directly to work out the exact dates you’d like to make a reservation, or for any other questions.

GumTree is equivalent to Canada/US’s Kijiji or Craigslist. Property owners are free to share as much or as little info as desired. You’ll need to poke around and ask a few questions. You’ll likely find more ads here (compared to AirBnB), which also means more to filter through. GumTree also gives you the option to search under specific headings, such as ‘couch surfing,’ ‘short term,’ ‘shared accommodation’ and more.

Realestate.com is specific to Australia. You’ll be able to filter your search by how many bedrooms, bathrooms, min./max. budget, car spaces etc. You can bank on this being a more established site as well. And for those looking to buy properties, you can search this site too!

A note of caution: Make sure you’ve seen the apartment and signed a legitimate contract with the property owner/manager. NEVER…. EVER agree to an apartment before seeing it or departing from home. There was an awesome looking apartment on AirBnB, and after talking to the contact, she informed me that she’d need a deposit, that she’s working in the UK and that she could mail the key over to me in Canada. Sorry… no dice there woman. Should’ve figured something was fishy… this was a 3-bedroom apartment, each room with an en-suite bath and cheap rent.

Any tips or something you’d like to add? Need not be Australia-specific. 🙂